January 3, 2014

Holy Name of Jesus (Titular feast of the Society of Jesus)

John 1: 29-34

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

What’s in a name?

Note:

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Ignatius and the first companions desired and were designated members of the Society of Jesus. According to the Jesuit Institute website, the Society of Jesus retains the practice of celebrating today’s Feast of the Giving of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 1st along with that of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Blessed be the name of the Lord for this time forth and for evermore.

The name Jesus speaks to “Yahweh, our salvation.” Jesus is our Way into the mysteries of Creation, Incarnation and Redemption. I am grateful for the Christian faith and revelation handed down through the ages and the Living Christ indwelling, for the Creator creating and our creaturehood evolving filling us with awe and wonder, for the Spirit drawing us towards full life in God’s love in our original goodness.

The Blessed Trinity speaks to me of relationship, of being sentient, differentiated and in communion. I find my desire to be in union and communion with God. I find my Way through the human Jesus as He lived in union with His Father.

Whose name do I call on in my humanity when I feel myself lost in a well of desolation, in suffering and sinfulness? Whose name do I call on in the joys of consolation? I have worked in hospice and been with many people in their dying and whose name do they often call out? The name of Jesus is real and personal and human. I have struggled with understanding who this Jesus is in his humanity and divinity. In prayer, it is Jesus who understands and takes on my memories, understandings, and will and then accompanies me with love and grace. I pray that all encounter Jesus in their lives.

Who do you entrust with your memories, dreams, understandings and will? How do you pray the Suscipe of St. Ignatius? Who is your Way and Truth?

PraySLUH is a prayer site rooted in the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. At SLUH, we believe that God is truly present and active in our lives in and through all things. PraySLUH is a site where you can come daily to see where and how God is accompanying you, through prayer with scripture, prayers, and short reflections.

January 3, 2014

Holy Name of Jesus (Titular feast of the Society of Jesus)

John 1: 29-34

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

What’s in a name?

Note:

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Ignatius and the first companions desired and were designated members of the Society of Jesus. According to the Jesuit Institute website, the Society of Jesus retains the practice of celebrating today’s Feast of the Giving of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 1st along with that of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Blessed be the name of the Lord for this time forth and for evermore.

The name Jesus speaks to “Yahweh, our salvation.” Jesus is our Way into the mysteries of Creation, Incarnation and Redemption. I am grateful for the Christian faith and revelation handed down through the ages and the Living Christ indwelling, for the Creator creating and our creaturehood evolving filling us with awe and wonder, for the Spirit drawing us towards full life in God’s love in our original goodness.

The Blessed Trinity speaks to me of relationship, of being sentient, differentiated and in communion. I find my desire to be in union and communion with God. I find my Way through the human Jesus as He lived in union with His Father.

Whose name do I call on in my humanity when I feel myself lost in a well of desolation, in suffering and sinfulness? Whose name do I call on in the joys of consolation? I have worked in hospice and been with many people in their dying and whose name do they often call out? The name of Jesus is real and personal and human. I have struggled with understanding who this Jesus is in his humanity and divinity. In prayer, it is Jesus who understands and takes on my memories, understandings, and will and then accompanies me with love and grace. I pray that all encounter Jesus in their lives.

Who do you entrust with your memories, dreams, understandings and will? How do you pray the Suscipe of St. Ignatius? Who is your Way and Truth?